Wikipedia

Thames Valley Buses

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Alzarian16 (talk | contribs) at 12:21, 21 August 2012 (→‎External links: Update links). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Courtney Buses, until 2011 known as Courtney Coaches, is a bus operating company based in Bracknell, Berkshire, England. Founded in 1973, it operates a network of commercial and contracted local bus services and school buses in Berkshire and north Hampshire. The company is known for its use of alternative fuels, having been the first bus company in the United Kingdom to operate a bus run on 100% soya oil.

Courtney Buses
A second-hand Optare Solo in Borough Bus livery operating route 6 in Windsor.
Founded1973
HeadquartersBracknell
Service areaBerkshire, Hampshire
Service typeBus
FleetAround 40 vehicles
Websitewww.courtneybuses.com

History

The company was formed in 1973 as a taxi hire firm in Bracknell by Bill Courtney-Smith, who still manages the company, and moved into coach hire in the 1980s.[1] The first local route to be operated was route 53 (Wexham Park Hospital - Maidenhead - Bracknell), which the company began to operate in 2000, but this was taken over by First Berkshire & The Thames Valley in 2003.[2] The company expanded dramatically in January 2004 when all seven local routes in Maidenhead were taken over from First Berkshire.[1]

In September 2006 Courtney Coaches had is license revoked by the Traffic Commissioner.[3] An appeal was launched, operations continued and the decision was overturned by the end of 2006.[4] Between 2005 and 2007, a Park & Ride was provided by Courtney between Maidenhead town centre and a temporary site at Stafferton Way. The Stafferton Way site had been used to provide replacement parking during a period in which a town centre car park was shut.[5]

In October 2007 the company introduced a unique ticketing system, ETMSS, which uses mobile computer technology to replace fare charts and reporting software with one computerised system.[6] Other features include the ability to modify fares from anywhere using the Internet, GPS tracking of individual buses and reduced insurance costs as a result of this, and the ability to calculate fares, cash exchanges and refunds.[7] The cost of installation was reportedly paid back within the first 12 months.[6][7]

The routes in Maidenhead were changed significantly in early 2009. However, changes to the stopping pattern on route 6 (Maidenhead - Windsor) received criticism from some residents[8] and were further changed in April 2009.[9]

Further expansion came in January 2009, when the shuttle service between Didcot Parkway railway station and Milton Park was expanded from one bus to two using a new low-floor double-deck vehicle at a cost of £175,000. Over 400 passes for the service were issued to workers prior to its introduction.[10] In November 2009 a Courtney Coaches driver ejected a woman from a bus following a complaint from another passenger because of fears over swine flu.[11]

The company announced a change of trading name to Courtney Buses in late 2011.[12] In November 2011 Courtney began operation of a new Christmas park and ride service in Windsor.[13] In the same month the company was shortlisted for the Top Independent Operator award at the UK Bus Awards.[14]

Alternative fuels

In 2002 Courtney Coaches became the first bus company in Britain to operate a bus on 100% soya oil.[15] Abingdon-based company Regenatec converted an Optare Solo minibus to operate on the fuel[16], which gained the company appearances on Working Lunch[17] and in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.[18] The cost of conversion was around £3500.[15] Fuel savings of around 80% were reported[19], and this cost was paid back in eight months.[17] In March 2007 Courtney director Bill Courtney-Smith and Regenatec director Mike Lawton were invited to 10 Downing Street by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair to demonstrate another converted vehicle at an environmental presentation.[19] Bill Courtney-Smith later bought half shares in Regenatec when the company experienced financial trouble in early 2009.[1]

Routes

 
A Courtney Coaches Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart in Basingstoke Centre Shuttle livery at Basingstoke Leisure Park in May 2009

Courtney Buseses operates the following local routes:[20]

The company also operates the Basingstoke Park and Ride, a Sony contract in Basingstoke and contracts to Milton Park, Maidenhead Office Park and Foundation Park.[20]

Fleet

Since local bus service work began the predominant type in the fleet has been the Optare Solo, although other vehicles are also owned. Two notable buses operated are the only Alexander Dennis Enviro300s with East Lancs Esteem bodywork.[21] Two Optare Tempos powered by 100% pure plant oil, the first 12m single-deckers to run on this fuel, were ordered in 2010.[22][23]

References

  1. ^ a b c Courtney Buses - About Us
  2. ^ Oxford & Chiltern Bus Page - News - April 2003
  3. ^ "Fleet News England & Wales". Buses (619): 44. October 2006.
  4. ^ "Fleet News England & Wales". Buses (622): 50. January 2007.
  5. ^ Maidenhead & Windsor: New Maidenhead Hines Meadow Multi-Storey Takes Over from Temporary Park and Ride
  6. ^ a b ETMSS Ltd
  7. ^ a b "Courtney pioneers ticketing advance". Buses (658): 27. January 2010.
  8. ^ Maidenhead and Windsor - Bus route 6
  9. ^ U-turn: Bus stops to be reinstated Maidenhead Advertiser, 1 April 2009
  10. ^ Bus link boosted (From Oxford Mail)
  11. ^ Cough girl is booted off bus over swine flu - The Sun
  12. ^ Courtney Buses - Courtney Buses to replace Courtney Coaches
  13. ^ Park and ride scheme launched for Christmas shoppers Maidenhead Advertiser, 22 November 2011
  14. ^ Courtney Buses - 2011 UK Bus Awards Announcement
  15. ^ a b Courtney Coaches - Going Green
  16. ^ Regenatec: Case Studies - Courtney Coaches
  17. ^ a b Regenatec: Media - TV - Courtney Coaches
  18. ^ Britain has low-pollution technology but it needs to be supported - Telegraph
  19. ^ a b Regenatec - Media - Visit to the Prime Minister
  20. ^ a b Courtney Buses - Services
  21. ^ "Fleet News England and Wales". Buses (618): 46. September 2006.
  22. ^ Courtney orders low-carbon Tempos - busandcoach.com :: Bus and Coach Magazine
  23. ^ Optare - Press Releases
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thames_Valley_Buses&oldid=508445062"